Wiper’s stay in Cord injurious to its interests

Governor Hassan Joho’s arch-rival in last year’s polls Suleiman Shahbal. FILE PHOTO |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Wiper’s continued stay in Cord is injurious to the party’s interests and objectives.
• It is no longer in the interest of Wiper to be in Cord. Wiper must, therefore, re-evaluate its interest and that of the nation at large.
• What’s next for Kalonzo? We know of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Raila, who promised to support Kalonzo in 2017.

By SULEIMAN SHAHBAL
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I am not surprised by the latest developments in the Orange Democratic Party (ODM). First, the dishing out of the party leadership. Second, the violent chaos in Homa Bay. Third, the auctioning of the nomination certificate for the Homa Bay Senate seat.

These issues now raise serious questions about the validity and rationale of Cord — made up of ODM, Wiper and Ford Kenya. While these are exclusive internal ODM affairs, they highlight serious issues for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. 

What do the recent events mean for prospective Wiper candidates in 2017, particularly in areas outside the party’s Ukambani stronghold? What do these events portend for Kalonzo’s presidential ambitions?

Question is: Why should we bother ourselves with ODM affairs? What is the impact on Wiper?  The restructuring in ODM has huge implications for the coalition. ODM’s new bosses pose a real danger to the interests of the junior coalition partners.

Wiper stands to suffer irreparable damage come 2017 when ODM is likely to push out Wiper candidates. In a tight election, it would be logical for the coalition to present one candidate instead of having internal competition.

Some of the lessons of 2013 are that Cord lost some seats due to internal competition. The coalition has indeed set up a committee to ensure that this does not happen again.

It is apparent that ODM does not believe in party democracy. They have never practised it. We watched Kasarani live on TV in February. We also recall how the party’s executive director, Magerer Langat, was manhandled. ODM has a culture of intolerance to divergent opinion often dealt with by violence and impunity.

Are these the principles and values Kalonzo and Wiper espouse? Is this the partner Wiper wants to be identified with? If not, then it will be foolhardy for Wiper to expect democracy and fairness. I can confidently predict that the 2017 Cord nominations will be a major fiasco. Any prospective Wiper candidate who expects to get a Cord nomination ticket is dreaming. ODM has clearly showed that there will never be, and can never be, fair or transparent nomination anywhere.

They will ensure that only preferred ODM candidates will get nomination certificates. Do you trust Raila Odinga to give a Wiper candidate a nomination certificate when he has his own ODM candidates?

A few historical precedents will suffice. Kenyans will recall Kalonzo was deliberately humiliated and hounded out of ODM during a rally in Khadija grounds in Mombasa by the same forces, prior to the 2007 General Election. Are they not the Judas who threw the last hammer at you?

INJURIOUS TO PARTY INTERESTS

Wiper’s continued stay in Cord is injurious to the party’s interests and objectives. In December 2012, I was at the Wiper headquarters when the party became a haven for political refugees escaping ODM’s violent rigging process. Many went on to win on Wiper tickets.

I personally supported and campaigned for three to victory in Mombasa – Senator Hassan Omar, and MPs Badi Twalib and Hezron Awiti.

I doubt whether Wiper will become a safe haven again in the pressure to come up with single Cord candidates for 2017. Wiper will disintegrate when its key candidates are denied nomination certificates by an ODM dominated Cord.

It is no longer in the interest of Wiper to be in Cord. Wiper must, therefore, re-evaluate its interest and that of the nation at large. Clearly, there are Trojan horses — members within Wiper who have stronger ties with ODM than they do with Wiper. Then there are the so-called “financiers” pursuing their personal agenda.

Kalonzo, beware, or you too will soon cry out “Et tu, Brutus?”

What’s next for Kalonzo? We know of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Raila, who promised to support Kalonzo in 2017. In 2002 Raila had a signed MoU with Nyachae. He abandoned it. Kibaki, too, had an MoU, which was soon forgotten.

Whatever MoU exists is an historical document of irrelevant value. Raila has already declared that he is running in 2017. Kalonzo must face this truth and press the exit button. Wiper must work with any party to achieve its national goals and maintain its values.

If a party cannot win power, at least it should be the kingmaker. With the way things are in ODM, chances for victory are slim. Wiper must, therefore, explore all options with an open mind and not lock itself into a losing position.

If the party does not decide, its prospective candidates will decide before they, too, are sacrificed at the altar of ODM “democracy”.

Suleiman Shahbal is a Wiper member and vied on its ticket in the 2013 General Election for Governor in Mombaas